The war lasted on, until a great fleet of the [[Númenóreans]] arrived at Lindon. With united forces, Sauron's army was driven back and defeated near [[Sarnford]] and withdrew to [[Tharbad]] were he was reinforced. But the Númenórean's Admiral [[Tar-Minastir]] had send a fleet up river Gwathló and Sauron's army was attacked in the rear and utterly defeated.<ref name="Galadriel"/> After this war, the Elves were not further troubled by Sauron for a long time. During this time, Gil-galad passed the rings Narya and Vilya to Círdan and Elrond.<ref name="Galadriel"/>

The war lasted on, until a great fleet of the [[Númenóreans]] arrived at Lindon. With united forces, Sauron's army was driven back and defeated near [[Sarnford]] and withdrew to [[Tharbad]] were he was reinforced. But the Númenórean's Admiral [[Tar-Minastir]] had send a fleet up river Gwathló and Sauron's army was attacked in the rear and utterly defeated.<ref name="Galadriel"/> After this war, the Elves were not further troubled by Sauron for a long time. During this time, Gil-galad passed the rings Narya and Vilya to Círdan and Elrond.<ref name="Galadriel"/>

−

After the [[Downfall of Númenor]], [[Elendil]] and his sons came to Middle-earth and founded the realms of [[Gondor]] in the south and [[Arnor]] in the north]]. Gondor was soon attacked by Sauron and Elendil's son [[Isildur]] had to flee, and sailed north to his father, where the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men]] was formed with Gil-galad.

+

After the [[Downfall of Númenor]], [[Elendil]] and his sons came to Middle-earth and founded the realms of [[Gondor]] in the south and [[Arnor]] in the north. Gondor was soon attacked by Sauron and Elendil's son [[Isildur]] had to flee, and sailed north to his father, where the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men]] was formed with Gil-galad.

−

It took several years to gather the forces but ulitmately they marched on Mordor and defeated a great army in the [[Battle of Dagorlad]]. They broke through [[Cirith Gorgor]] and besieged [[Sauron]]'s [[Dark Tower]].

+

It took several years for the Allies to gather their forces but ultimately they marched on Mordor and defeated a great army in the [[Battle of Dagorlad]]. They broke through [[Cirith Gorgor]] and besieged [[Sauron]]'s [[Dark Tower]].

−

When the siege had lasted seven years, it became so pressing that Sauron himself sallied forth. By his power the siege was broken and his army advanced to the slopes of [[Orodruin]]. There he was engaged by Elendil and Gil-galad in single combat. Both, Gil-galad and Elendil were killed by Sauron's hands.

+

When the siege had lasted seven years, it became so pressing that Sauron himself sallied forth. By his power the siege was broken and his army advanced to the slopes of [[Orodruin]]. There he was engaged by Elendil and Gil-galad in single combat. Both Gil-galad and Elendil were killed by Sauron's hands.

According to the laws of succession, Elrond should have become the next High King of the Noldor, but he refused the crown{{fact}}, and Gil-galad became the last King of the Noldor in Middle-earth.<ref name="Rings"/>

According to the laws of succession, Elrond should have become the next High King of the Noldor, but he refused the crown{{fact}}, and Gil-galad became the last King of the Noldor in Middle-earth.<ref name="Rings"/>

Gil-galad was a descendant of the Noldor, Teleri and Vanyar, for his great-grandmother Eärwen, married with Finarfin, is the daughter of Olwë of the Teleri and his Great-Great-grandmother Indis, married with Finwe, is of the Vanyar. Nonetheless, he is counted among the Noldor.

He was still a child at the time of the Dagor Bragollach when Morgoth broke the Siege of Angband and his grandfather Angrod was killed. As a result his father sent him (and his mother[1]) to Círdan at the Havens of the Falas for safekeeping.[2] After the fall of Minas Tirith, the Pass of Sirion was open to Morgoth's hosts although they were still kept at bay by the still mighty realm of Hithlum and also the power of Nargothrond. Hithlum was destroyed after the Nirnaeth Arnoediad and thus there was now power left that could withstand the enemies and the ports at the Falas were besieged and captured. Yet Círdan, Gil-galad and many other Elves could flee from death on ship and etablished a refuge upon the Isle of Balar and a small haven at the Mouths of Sirion.[3]

In the Nirnaeth Arnoediad Fingon, High King of the Noldor, was slain, and the crown passed to his brother Turgon in Gondolin. When Gondolin was lost, Gil-galad received the Kingship of the Noldor, as his father had been killed in Battle of Tumhalad some years before and Turgon did not have a male descendant .[4] He and Círdan maintained the refuge upon Balar and the small port at the Sirion estuary until the War of Wrath and the end of the First Age.

Around the year 1000 of the Second Age, Sauron tried to make contact with the Elves under the name Annatar, the "Lord of Gifts". But Gil-galad and Círdan did not trust him and rejected his proposals. Sauron though, was welcomed in Eregion and the Rings of Power were forged.[5] Around S.A.1600 Sauron had forged the One Ring, and in 1695 he invaded Eriador, the War of the Elves and Sauron began.[7] Celebrimbor had rescued the Three Rings of the Elves in time, sending Narya and Vilya to Gil-galad, while the third ring Nenya was given to Galadriel.[8]

Sauron conquered Eregion quickly and the forces from Lindon that Gil-galad had sent under command of Elrond came too late and were too small and fled far north, where Elrond etablished the stronghold of Imladris.[8]

The war lasted on, until a great fleet of the Númenóreans arrived at Lindon. With united forces, Sauron's army was driven back and defeated near Sarnford and withdrew to Tharbad were he was reinforced. But the Númenórean's Admiral Tar-Minastir had send a fleet up river Gwathló and Sauron's army was attacked in the rear and utterly defeated.[8] After this war, the Elves were not further troubled by Sauron for a long time. During this time, Gil-galad passed the rings Narya and Vilya to Círdan and Elrond.[8]

When the siege had lasted seven years, it became so pressing that Sauron himself sallied forth. By his power the siege was broken and his army advanced to the slopes of Orodruin. There he was engaged by Elendil and Gil-galad in single combat. Both Gil-galad and Elendil were killed by Sauron's hands.

According to the laws of succession, Elrond should have become the next High King of the Noldor, but he refused the crown[source?], and Gil-galad became the last King of the Noldor in Middle-earth.[5]

Etymology

Gil-galad is a Sindarin name, meaning "Star of bright light". The name consists of the elements gil ("star") + galad ("radiance")[9]. According to a note this name was given to him because of the brightness of his eyes [1].

Portrayals in adaptations

In the prologue, Gil-galad can be seen holding one of the three Elven rings. Later, he is seen wielding his spear Aeglos in the Battle of the Last Alliance of Elves and Men. His death is not shown, and he does not take down Sauron. He is played by Mark Ferguson.